EHIC issues continue to cause controversy
The issue of some Spanish public hospitals allegedly refusing to accept European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) is continuing, following an announcement by the European Commission (EC) that it has asked the nation’s government for more information following complaints by holidaymakers. Following the announcement from the EC, the Spanish Ministry of Health released a statement, which said that every public hospital in the national health system will give treatment to a patient who presents a valid EHIC. It also stated that in the case of ‘double insurance’ – where the traveller carries both an EHIC and travel insurance – it is up to the individual patient to choose which insurance is charged for the care they receive, and that this proviso is explained to patients in their own language, with patients signing a form giving authorisation for either the EHIC or the insurer to be charged. The recommendation given to travellers from the Spanish Ministry of Health is that they ensure their EHIC is valid, and that they ensure their travel insurance will cover them for all of their health needs.
The issue of some Spanish public hospitals allegedly refusing to accept European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) is continuing, following an announcement by the European Commission (EC) that it has asked the nation’s government for more information following complaints by holidaymakers. Following the announcement from the EC, the Spanish Ministry of Health released a statement, which said that every public hospital in the national health system will give treatment to a patient who presents a valid EHIC. It also stated that in the case of ‘double insurance’ – where the traveller carries both an EHIC and travel insurance – it is up to the individual patient to choose which insurance is charged for the care they receive, and that this proviso is explained to patients in their own language, with patients signing a form giving authorisation for either the EHIC or the insurer to be charged. The recommendation given to travellers from the Spanish Ministry of Health is that they ensure their EHIC is valid, and that they ensure their travel insurance will cover them for all of their health needs.
The Ministry also stated that it had received no complaints regarding EHIC refusal from any other nation except the UK. However, this was later questioned as the Royal Dutch Touring Club ANWB confirmed that a number of its members had allegedly experienced problems with using their EHIC in Spanish public hospitals over the past two years. Mike Pinckaers, public affairs adviser at ANWB, explained the alleged problems experienced by policyholders in more detail: “The card was not accepted and the bills were sent to the insurer of the client. If the insurer didn’t pay, they forwarded the bills to the consumer.” German automobile club ADAC has also experienced members reporting problems with using their EHIC to obtain free or reduced cost treatment in Spain.
Greg Lawson, head of retail at UK insurer Columbus Direct, confirmed the issue, and added that consumers could be adversely affected as a result of the ongoing controversy: “A number of Columbus customers have experienced issues trying to use their EHIC in Spain and other EU countries, although our emergency assistance team have then stepped in to manage the situation. Where we cannot recover these costs via the Department of Work and Pensions [in the UK], these increased costs will then unfortunately be passed to consumers in increased premiums.”